The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has explained why leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were denied access to former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai at its detention facility in Abuja.
According to the anti-graft agency, the restriction was based on an existing court order limiting access to the former governor strictly to his family members, legal representatives, and medical doctors.
The clarification came after the ADC accused the ICPC of intimidating party officials through the heavy deployment of armed security personnel when a delegation of party leaders attempted to visit el-Rufai on Friday.
El-Rufai has remained in ICPC custody since February 19 over allegations of financial impropriety linked to his administration as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.
The former governor has been at the center of a high-profile corruption investigation following allegations that public funds amounting to hundreds of billions of naira were diverted during his tenure in office.
In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly reportedly indicted el-Rufai over allegations involving the diversion of ₦423 billion in public funds and money laundering, recommending investigations by anti-corruption agencies.
On April 13, 2026, the ICPC formally arraigned him before the Kaduna High Court on an amended nine-count charge related to alleged fraud and abuse of office.
Although el-Rufai was temporarily granted leave on March 28 to attend his mother’s funeral, he later returned to detention as legal proceedings continued.
Tensions surrounding his detention intensified after his son, Mohammed Bello, accused ICPC officials of denying his father access to medical care and family members despite what he described as a clear court directive allowing unrestricted access to doctors.
However, ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey dismissed those allegations, insisting that the claims were false and misleading.
The latest controversy emerged after a delegation of ADC leaders, reportedly led by the party’s national secretary Rauf Aregbesola and the secretary of its policy and manifesto committee Salihu Lukman, was denied access to el-Rufai during a visit to the detention facility.
In a statement issued by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party claimed that despite prior communication and formal requests, its officials were prevented from seeing the former governor without adequate explanation.
The party also alleged that the atmosphere around the facility became tense after several truckloads of armed police officers reportedly arrived while the delegation waited for a response.
The incident has further intensified political debate surrounding el-Rufai’s detention, with supporters arguing that his treatment raises concerns about political intimidation, while critics maintain that anti-corruption investigations must proceed without interference.
As court proceedings continue, the former governor’s case remains one of the most closely watched political and legal developments in Nigeria, drawing national attention to issues of accountability, judicial process, and political rivalry.
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